• Sustainable foreign direct investment
• Policy consistency
• Institutional credibility
• Youth-inclusive economic growth
• Real access to capital for entrepreneurs
A 28-Year-Old Zimbabwean Defines What Gen-Z Needs From the Country's New Global Standing
Taonesesa Karidza- Opinion
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I have lived 28 years as a Zimbabwean with the knowledge that our country operated under sanctions.
For my generation, sanctions were not just foreign policy, they were part of our economic vocabulary. They were cited in conversations about inflation, investment, jobs, currency instability, and global isolation.
In 2002, the European Union imposed targeted sanctions on Zimbabwe-including travel bans, asset freezes, and an arms embargo. These were not blanket trade bans, but they shaped something powerful: perception.
And perception affects capital.
Over the years, Zimbabwe continued trading with Europe. But the risk of stigma mattered. International banks became cautious. Investors hesitated. Borrowing costs increased. “Over-compliance” by global financial institutions limited access to credit and long-term capital.
At the same time, we experienced:
• Hyperinflation
• Dollarization
• Currency reforms
• A largely informal economy (over 60% informal activity)
• Persistent youth unemployment
Sanctions were not the sole cause of our economic challenges; domestic policy, governance, and structural issues have played a major role. But sanctions contributed to Zimbabwe being categorized as “high risk.”
In February 2026, the Council of the European Union lifts travel bans and asset freezes while maintaining the arms embargo.
This signals diplomatic re-engagement. It improves international perception. It potentially increases investor confidence.
But here is the honest truth:
The lifting of sanctions does not automatically stabilize a currency, instantly create jobs, or inject capital without reform.
As a 28-year-old Gen Z professional, what I care about is not just whether sanctions exist but whether Zimbabwe can convert improved global relations into:
• Sustainable foreign direct investment
• Policy consistency
• Institutional credibility
• Youth-inclusive economic growth
• Real access to capital for entrepreneurs
My generation doesn’t just want explanations for why things are difficult. We want systems that work, mobility, opportunity that scales and Zimbabwe positioned competitively in the global economy.
Sanctions were part of our story. What we build now determines the next chapter.
Taonesesa is an omnipreneur and mental health activist. This article is republished with permission from the writer. Read the original here: https://rb.gy/nr4o20
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